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3D printing has been around for much longer than you might think; almost 40 years in fact. But it's only recently that the potential of this technology has begun to be realized, advances in sensors, 3D printing software and materials mean that the most incredible objects can now be produced with a 3D printer.

We here at Bored Panda have put together a list of things that people have made with this technology, and your jaw will drop with the complexity and size of some of these 3D printed objects. From houses and cars to prosthetic limbs, photographs brought to life and 3D art, scroll down below to check out the absolute coolest things people have created with this awesome technology, and let us know what you think in the comments!

#1

Toucan With A Reconstructed Beak Done Throughout 3D Printing

Toucan With A Reconstructed Beak Done Throughout 3D Printing

DraftDraw Report

How much do you really know about 3D printing? Here are some cool facts about the technology that may have passed you by.

According to All That 3D, 3D printers have different ways of making a 3D printing idea come to life. 3D printing technologies include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA or SL) and Selective laser sintering (SLS).

"FDM 3D printers melt plastic filaments and deposit the plastic in layers until it fills up the model. There are two types of plastics that are popularly used in FDM technology, namely ABS and PLA. The former is made from oil-based resources and is sturdy. Meanwhile, the latter is made from plant-based resources and is biodegradable. Most 3D printers that you can find for home use are FDM 3D printers because they are more affordable."

"SLA 3D printers use resin for its materials. Unlike FDM it builds the prototype by using a laser to cure the resin one layer at a time. Basic stereolithography includes supports that must be manually removed from the part after 3D printing. SLA 3D printers are more costly than FDM printers but they deliver better results."

"SLS 3D printers also use a different approach than FDM and SLA. It uses a laser to sinter powdered metal. By binding the powder together it creates a solid structure. After sintering each layer together, the structure drops and the next layer will be built on top of it."

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#2

See-Through Prosthetics 3D-Printed From Titanium

See-Through Prosthetics 3D-Printed From Titanium

William Root Report

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everclearshovel21 avatar
Hello it Smee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Functional and visually stunning. That is hands down the neatest prostetic I've ever seen.

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#3

A Neighbor 3D Printed A Walker For His Crippled Little Buddy

A Neighbor 3D Printed A Walker For His Crippled Little Buddy

KANNABULL Report

When 3D printing first came out the printers were too expensive to buy just for fun around the house. These days though 3D printing has become a trend and more and more manufacturers produce 3D printers, meaning they are become more accessible to regular people.

"If you examine the 3D printing market today you will find tons of 3D printers brands that offer different features," All That 3D writes. "Some are packed with powerful functionalities and are offered at a much higher price. Others offer the basic functions and are sold at a much cheaper price. However, in the coming years, you can expect more powerful 3D printers at a very affordable price."

3D printing first used plastic as a material, but as the technology progresses more materials are being utilized. Now you can 3D print using things like ceramic, gold, silver, titanium, gypsum and even biological substances.

"With biological substances producing prosthetics, organs and tissues through 3D printing are possible. In fact, in different instances, medical professionals 3D print an ear and a jaw. 3D printing artificial heart, kidney and liver are in the works. If 3D printing organs will be a success in the near future then the agonizing wait for a heart, kidney or liver transplant will be significantly reduced."

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"As for the other 3D printing materials, you are free to create dresses, shoes, drones, bicycles, vehicles or even houses. With 3D printing, your imagination is your only limitation."

#4

A Prosthetic Arm I Made For A Friend

A Prosthetic Arm I Made For A Friend

Kuester Report

#5

3D-Printed Classical Paintings That Let The Blind “See” Famous Art For The First Time

3D-Printed Classical Paintings That Let The Blind “See” Famous Art For The First Time

The Unseen Art project Report

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nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they've done the same with ultrasound scans for the blind to 'see' the baby

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Despite the speed and convenience that 3D printing offers (imagine being able to print any needed object in your home instead of going out to buy it?), there are ethical dilemmas too. 3D printers have the potential to make the world better or worse, depending on how we choose to use the technology.

"3D printers have already produced a 3D printed prosthetics including a human ear and jaw. Scientists are now working to 3D print embryonic stem cells, hearts, kidneys, liver and other organs. However, 3D bioprinting raises ethical issues including justice in access to health care, testing for safety and efficiency, and whether professionals have to enhance one’s capacity beyond what is normal for humans."

"Another ethical dilemma concerning 3D printers is 3D printing a weapon. One has already created a working 3D printed gun, which becomes a challenge to the federal laws. How would the government practice gun control if anyone can just 3D print a gun in their homes? Is it safe? This is something that one has to ponder on when weighing the potentials of a 3D printer."

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#6

My Brother Is In A Wheelchair And Is Starting His First Job At Google Next Week. People Said I Should Make Him The Google Logo, But That’s No Fun So I Made This For His Desk

My Brother Is In A Wheelchair And Is Starting His First Job At Google Next Week. People Said I Should Make Him The Google Logo, But That’s No Fun So I Made This For His Desk

surviro Report

#7

I Came Back To My Apartment To Find That My Roommate 3D Printed A T-Rex Shower Head

I Came Back To My Apartment To Find That My Roommate 3D Printed A T-Rex Shower Head

austintbarnett Report

As you can see, while the benefits of easy customization are great, there are drawbacks too. If a company can simply print any part it needs when making something, what happens to the rest of the supply chain? And what about the use of someone else's design? Entirely new laws around intellectual property and copyright will need to be passed. We have become so used to people specializing in producing certain objects, that a machine that can do it all for us will change society in some ways.

Still the potential is great so it is an exciting time for 3D printers! Check out the rest of the cool and useful examples in the list below, and marvel at the possibilities!

#8

3D Printed Shell For An Injured Tortoise

3D Printed Shell For An Injured Tortoise

The Animal Avengers Report

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how this technology can make a huge impact on humans and animals. Awesome

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#9

My Moms 3D Printed Cast. She Can Take A Shower With It!

My Moms 3D Printed Cast. She Can Take A Shower With It!

xventriloquist Report

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everclearshovel21 avatar
Hello it Smee
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's nice, so the skin can breathe and you can shower with it so the leg dosen't get sinky and gross.

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#11

Chloe's 3D Printed Walking Assistant

Chloe's 3D Printed Walking Assistant

kittenxlady Report

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Magpie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For more info about Chloe >>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cWNMNjn6So <<<< spoiler alert. Chloe is fine.

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#12

3D-Printed Plastic Cast That Uses Ultrasound To Heal Broken Bones Faster

3D-Printed Plastic Cast That Uses Ultrasound To Heal Broken Bones Faster

Deniz Karasahin Report

#13

A Friend Nailed Halloween And 3D Printed His Own Face

A Friend Nailed Halloween And 3D Printed His Own Face

CaptainMumble Report

#14

Our 3D Print Failed Half Way Through. This Is How We’ve Been Using It

Our 3D Print Failed Half Way Through. This Is How We’ve Been Using It

KingVeemo Report

#16

3D Printed Violin

3D Printed Violin

3dvarius Report

#17

Student In My Country Made Mostly 3D Printed 1:1 Moveable Bb-8 Model As Her Engineer's Thesis As Final Work Ending Her Studies. She Also Programmed An App Which Let You Control The Robot

Student In My Country Made Mostly 3D Printed 1:1 Moveable Bb-8 Model As Her Engineer's Thesis As Final Work Ending Her Studies. She Also Programmed An App Which Let You Control The Robot

SaltyGenguMain1337 Report

#18

Not Inherited, But 3D Printed

Not Inherited, But 3D Printed

dirtyjava Report

#19

3D Printed And Painted My Cat

3D Printed And Painted My Cat

JeffersonHi Report

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Cordelia
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hadn't scrolled all the way down and was looking at the real cat like "now I know this cat looks TOO real", then I scrolled on to view the comments, then I saw the rest of the image and the actual 3d printed cat lol 😂

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#20

3D-Printed Vases That Give Plastic Bottles A Second Life

3D-Printed Vases That Give Plastic Bottles A Second Life

DesignLibero Report

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Foxxy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t know much about 3D printers and materials used but can it use recycled plastic?

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#21

Friend Made A Luggage Tag With Her 3D Printer

Friend Made A Luggage Tag With Her 3D Printer

Photosynthesexual Report

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kasa alex
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg i would do this if i came across this tag in an airport ;P

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#23

As A 16 Year Old Guy With Nosy Parents, This Has By Far Been My Most Useful Print

As A 16 Year Old Guy With Nosy Parents, This Has By Far Been My Most Useful Print

tpr_2 Report

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bronmargaret avatar
Magpie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um , you know you can buy those right?....and probably a LOT cheaper.

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#24

My Friend Made This Costume For Dragoncon... With A 3D Printer

My Friend Made This Costume For Dragoncon... With A 3D Printer

captain8ball Report

#25

3D Printed ‘Game Of Thrones’ Lamp

3D Printed ‘Game Of Thrones’ Lamp

Kvant 3D Printing Report

#26

Proof That Perseverance Pays Off... My Full Iron Man Suit, Printed In Many, Many Pieces On My Tiny Up Mini Over 6 Months

Proof That Perseverance Pays Off... My Full Iron Man Suit, Printed In Many, Many Pieces On My Tiny Up Mini Over 6 Months

JayLuvLL Report

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Full Name
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if that Crash Bandicoot mask was printed as well. That makes me really want one of these printers.

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#27

Fully-Articulated 3D Printed Mesh Gown, Worn By Burlesque Icon Dita Von Teese

Fully-Articulated 3D Printed Mesh Gown, Worn By Burlesque Icon Dita Von Teese

Michael Schmidt , coolcat1441 Report

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That doesn’t look comfortable at all, although Dita Von Teese would likely be into that kinda thing.

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#28

I 3D Printed My Son's Brain Using Data From His MRI

I 3D Printed My Son's Brain Using Data From His MRI

st314 Report

#30

This House Was 3D-Printed In Just 24 Hours For Less Than $11k

This House Was 3D-Printed In Just 24 Hours For Less Than $11k

Apis Cor Report

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nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but I think the cost of the machines and maintenance would not make this a realistic option in the near future at least

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